Cruise Missile
YJ-12
The YJ-12 is a supersonic anti-ship cruise missile developed in China, reportedly by the CASIC Third Academy, and fielded since around 2016. Launched mainly from H-6 bombers, it flies at about Mach 3 and is widely seen as a threat to carrier groups.
China|CASIC (Third Academy)Overview
The YJ-12 (Ying Ji-12, “Eagle Strike 12”) is a ramjet-powered anti-ship missile that began development around 2010 and reached service around 2016. A solid-fuel booster accelerates it before the ramjet takes over, giving a cruise speed of about Mach 3, although some sources claim Mach 4. In the terminal phase it descends to a sea-skimming altitude of roughly 10–15 m. Guidance combines an inertial system with an active radar seeker.
The missile is carried by H-6G, H-6J, H-6K and H-6N bombers, and a ship- and coast-launched version, the YJ-12B, has been reported on Type 055 destroyers (unconfirmed) and coastal batteries. Range is generally put at 250–400 km depending on the flight profile. Weight is about 2,500 kg with a warhead of around 500 kg; official figures are not published. Only China operates it, and no export sale has been confirmed. Its main Western counterparts are the subsonic Harpoon and LRASM.
Key Specifications
Variants
The baseline YJ-12 is the supersonic sea-skimming anti-ship missile with a ramjet engine and active radar seeker.
The YJ-12A is the air-launched version carried under the wings of H-6 bombers, which provide the long reach.
The YJ-12B is the reported ship and coastal-battery version, with the launch details not officially confirmed.
Operators
ChinaFrequently Asked Questions
How fast is the YJ-12?
The YJ-12 flies at about Mach 3, roughly 3,700 km/h, using a ramjet engine after a solid-fuel booster. Some sources claim up to Mach 4, but official figures are unpublished. It is supersonic rather than hypersonic.
What is the range of the YJ-12?
The YJ-12 has an estimated range of 250–400 km, depending on the flight profile. Western estimates put the maximum near 400 km. Launched from an H-6 bomber, the missile can threaten ships far from the Chinese coast.
Is the YJ-12 hypersonic?
No, the YJ-12 is not hypersonic. It cruises at about Mach 3, which is supersonic. Hypersonic means Mach 5 or above, a class associated with rumoured Chinese weapons such as the YJ-17 and the ballistic YJ-21.
Which countries use the YJ-12?
Only China operates the YJ-12, with the missile in service with the PLA Navy air arm and the PLA Air Force. No export sale has been confirmed. Reports of an export model, such as the CM-401, refer to a different weapon.
YJ-12 vs BrahMos: which is better?
The YJ-12 and BrahMos are both supersonic anti-ship missiles, with the YJ-12 reaching about Mach 3 and a range up to 400 km. BrahMos flies at roughly Mach 2.8 with a 290–450 km range depending on version. Neither has been used against a navy in combat.
Can the YJ-12 hit US carriers or Taiwan?
The YJ-12 is often named as a threat to US carrier groups and to ships around Taiwan in Strait scenarios. Launched from H-6 bombers, it can reach distant targets, though its real effectiveness against layered defences has not been tested in combat.